The few weeks that have passed since the Supreme Court ruled to overturn affirmative action have seen countless debates about the impact. Affirmative action programs were meant to help visible minorities and other marginalized groups gain fair access to employment opportunities and related access, such as entry into Ivy League schools.
Now, the ruling to end it has some businesses rethinking DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) goals, which had been steadily becoming a corporate buzzword up until this point. But what about businesses in the green economy?
An Industry That Needs Diversity
The green economy, inclusive of fields like renewable energy, sustainable development, environmental science, and even advanced agriculture, is still rapidly developing. Job growth has multiplied dramatically in just the past five years. The entire field is expected to employ millions of people by 2023.
But it’s also a sector that has struggled with diversity. For instance, a study by the World Bank found that women make up only around a third of the workers in the green economy. Visible minorities have also typically been shut out of this lucrative industry.
For this very reason, groups like the World Bank and Word In Black, an African-American media collaboration movement, have spoken out about the need for more support in helping the green economy to be more diverse.
It’s already a challenge for marginalized groups to make a career for themselves in a field traditionally dominated by the majority. Without legislation in place to help employers be more intentional about fostering an inclusive workplace, minority groups can struggle even more in this regard.
What Can Sustainable Businesses Do?
But even without a rule forcing their hand, forward-thinking employers can still make efforts to ensure their respective workplaces are diverse and inclusive for everyone.
Especially in the current labor climate, where a skills gap is making it difficult for companies to hire enough green workers, making an effort to hire minority workers can help sustainable businesses ensure they have enough human capital to achieve their goals.
Jobseekers who may be part of a minority group should also not be discouraged by the Supreme Court ruling, and should continue taking advantage of the resources available to help them land their dream green job. By making it easy and accessible to find the best sustainable jobs spanning a wide range of positions, EcoCareers hopes to help encourage minority groups to join the sector.